Goat Races and a Challenge

I have been reading over the blogs I posted and I have realized they are mostly about what I have been doing on the weekends. I realize that I haven't really given you any day to day specifics or what is going on inside the school, so I am giving myself a challenge to blog every day for one week. I am going to start on Sunday October 2nd and continue through till Sunday October 9th. I am hoping then I can give you more of a glimpse into my everyday life here and not just the weekend experiences.

All of that to say I figured I have to tell you all about my experiences of going to the goat races last Saturday. That is right GOAT RACES. It was quite the experience. Ali Price, Winston Ly, and I decided to take a Bajaj to the goat races. It is always an adventure when you decide to go somewhere and you are not really sure where it is, so we hopped in a Bajaj thinking he knew where he was going. Well he didn't so he dropped us off to another Bajaj driver, who also did not know where he was going. After driving for a bit he stopped at a taxi stand and ended up paying them to tell him where to go. We eventually arrived safe and sound, but just a little hot and sweaty. The goat races are a fun raising event so there were lots of little tents with food and other things to do. It was very much like a fair type atmosphere. We got there when they were doing a little parade to judge customs and hats. There were people dressed in all types of customs and hats. The goat races themselves were great entertainment. They would parade the goats into the track by carrying them and then place them behind the starting block. Then on the go signal they would let them go and all the guys would run after them. It was a very fun Saturday afternoon activity. I will let the pictures tell you the rest of the story.

HIGHLIGHTS OF MY WEEK

The first highlight of the week was babysitting Adah and Micah. My housemate Ali and I volunteered to keep the Cawley's kids one night this week so they could get out by themselves for a couple of hours. They thought we were doing them a favor, but really I think we may have had more fun. It was so much fun to just spend a night with them and get lost in a kids world for a bit. We played on the playground at the school, and then took them back to our house. Micah then helped me make mac and cheese for dinner (it was extra special mac and cheese from the States). After that we ran around outside our house playing ball with Micah, and I think our guards thought we were a little crazy. Then we had some popcorn and Micah read a book to us. I am glad we could give the Cawley's a night out, but it was just as good for me to be able to play with the kids. I have been missing playing with my nieces and nephew so that was a help.

The next highlight of the week and maybe the best thing since being here happened today. After church today I was invited to go for lunch to the other single female teachers house, along with the Pastor from my church and his family. I had an awesome meal, great fellowship, got to hold a little baby, and also learn how to drive a bajaj. Yep, thats right I drove for the first time since being here in Tanzania. Marie, a teacher at HOPAC, owns a bajaj and volunteered to give me some driving lessons. So a couple of us went out with her today to learn how to drive. It was so much fun. It is very much like driving a motorcycle. The hardest thing for me was driving on the opposite side of the rode. A couple of us took turns learning how to drive and we had a blast. Who knows maybe I will have to buy one for myself :)

Here some pictures from both experiences!

Micah being an excellent helper.

Adah just enjoying playing with the box.

YUM..this is the real stuff!

I am driving and Marie is instructing :)

Fun afternoon of driving for all..don't ask why
I am at the top of the hill and they are at the bottom.

We survived !!!!!!!